The Advanced Imaging Core at MMRI was developed to facilitate the non-invasive analysis of preclinical models of disease. The imaging suite is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment for small animal in vivo imaging using fluorescence, x-ray computed tomography and ultrasound.
Our facility includes:
- Perkin Elmer IVIS Spectrum – 2D and 3D optical imaging
- Perkin Elmer Quantum GX microCT – x-ray computed tomography imaging
- Visual Sonics Vevo 3100 Ultrasound – high frequency ultrasound imaging
For questions and request for service inquires, please contact Chase Kessinger, PhD, Director, at or (315)624-7488.
2D and 3D optical imaging. An optimized set of high efficiency filters and spectral un-mixing algorithms lets you take full advantage of bioluminescent and fluorescent reporters across the blue to near infrared wavelength region. It also offers single-view 3D tomography for both fluorescent and bioluminescent reporters that can be analyzed in an anatomical context using our Digital Mouse Atlas or registered with our multimodality module to other tomographic technologies such as MR, CT or PET.
For advanced fluorescence pre-clinical imaging, the Perkin Elmer IVIS Spectrum has the capability to use either trans-illumination (from the bottom) or epi-illumination (from the top) to illuminate in vivo fluorescent sources. 3D diffuse fluorescence tomography can be performed to determine source localization and concentration using the combination of structured light and trans illumination fluorescent images. The instrument is equipped with 10 narrow band excitation filters (30nm bandwidth) and 18 narrow band emission filters (20nm bandwidth) that assist in significantly reducing autofluorescence by the spectral scanning of filters and the use of spectral unmixing algorithms. In addition, the spectral unmixing tools allow the researcher to separate signals from multiple fluorescent reporters within the same animal. The instrument possesses 23 cm field of view capable of imaging 5 mice simultaneously in reflectance mode, while maintaining a high resolution (to 20 microns) with 3.9 cm field of view. When used in conjunction with the Quantum µCT, the software can automatically co-register images, yielding functional and anatomical localization of fluorophores.
X-ray computed tomographic imaging. The Perkin Elmer Quantum GX µCT multispecies imaging system provides high-resolution images at an X-ray dose low enough to enable true longitudinal imaging capability. With scan times as low as 8 seconds, the Quantum GX supports a workflow of up to 30 subjects per hour, with acquisition, reconstruction, and 3D visualization in under one minute. In high-resolution mode, the Quantum is capable of producing images with a 4.5 micrometer voxel size. Additionally, the Quantum features two-phase respiratory and cardiac gating allowing for detailed cardiac imaging.
Ultrasound imaging. TheVisualSonics Vevo 3100 ultrasound imaging system utilizes a powerful combination of high frame rates and advanced image processing to reduce speckle noise and artifacts while preserving and enhancing critical information for small animal in vivo studies.
